Chapter 3: Problem 3
Find the critical points of the given finction and then determine whether they are local maxima, local minima, or sadille points. $$f(x, y)=x^{2}+y^{2}+2 x y$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The critical points are along \((x, -x)\), and their nature is indeterminate.
Step by step solution
01
Find Partial Derivatives
First, calculate the partial derivatives of the function with respect to \(x\) and \(y\). \[ f_x = \frac{\partial}{\partial x}(x^2 + y^2 + 2xy) = 2x + 2y \]\[ f_y = \frac{\partial}{\partial y}(x^2 + y^2 + 2xy) = 2y + 2x \]
02
Set Partial Derivatives to Zero
Set the partial derivatives equal to zero to find the critical points. \[ 2x + 2y = 0 \]\[ 2y + 2x = 0 \] Both equations are equivalent, thus simplifying to \(x + y = 0\).
03
Solve for the Critical Points
Solve \(x + y = 0\) to find the critical points. This gives \(y = -x\). Substitute \(y = -x\) into either of the partial derivative equations.Choose \(x = a, y = -a\). The general solution for \((x, y)\) is \((a, -a)\).
04
Calculate the Hessian Matrix
Calculate the second partial derivatives and form the Hessian matrix \[ f_{xx} = \frac{\partial^2 f}{\partial x^2} = 2 \]\[ f_{yy} = \frac{\partial^2 f}{\partial y^2} = 2 \]\[ f_{xy} = \frac{\partial^2 f}{\partial x \partial y} = 2 \] The Hessian matrix is:\[H = \begin{bmatrix}2 & 2 \2 & 2 \\end{bmatrix}\]
05
Determine the Nature of Critical Points
To classify the critical points, evaluate the determinant of the Hessian matrix.\[ \det(H) = 2\cdot2 - 2\cdot2 = 4 - 4 = 0 \]Since the determinant is 0, we cannot conclusively determine the nature of the critical points; they could be saddle points, local maxima, or minima.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Partial Derivatives
Partial derivatives are fundamental in analyzing functions of multiple variables. For a given function like the one in our exercise, a partial derivative shows how the function changes as one variable changes, while all other variables are held constant. In the function \(f(x, y) = x^2 + y^2 + 2xy\), we find the partial derivatives with respect to \(x\) and \(y\). This provides us with two equations: \(f_x = 2x + 2y\) and \(f_y = 2y + 2x\).
- Understanding Partial Derivatives: Think of them as slices of a multi-dimensional pie. By focusing on one variable at a time, we can understand how each influences the function's outcome.
- Identifying Critical Points: Setting these partial derivatives to zero helps us locate critical points, which are the potential sites for maxima, minima, or saddle points.
Hessian Matrix
The Hessian matrix is a powerful tool in multivariable calculus for understanding the curvature of a function at a given point. It consists of second-order partial derivatives and provides information on whether a critical point is a local maximum, minimum, or saddle point.
- Constructing the Hessian: For our function, the Hessian matrix is created by calculating \(f_{xx}, f_{yy},\) and \(f_{xy}\). In this case, it's \(H = \begin{bmatrix} 2 & 2 \ 2 & 2 \end{bmatrix}\).
- Role of the Hessian: It serves as a multi-dimensional extension of the second derivative test used for single-variable functions.
Local Maxima and Minima
Local maxima and minima are points where the function takes on a highest or lowest value in a small surrounding area. Identifying these points is crucial as they represent key features of the function's landscape.
- Role of the Hessian: If the determinant is positive and \(f_{xx} < 0\), the point is a local maximum. If \(f_{xx} > 0\), it’s a local minimum.
- Challenges with Zero Determinant: In cases like our example where the determinant is zero, the test is inconclusive, suggesting the need for alternative assessments (e.g., analyzing eigenvalues).
Saddle Points
Saddle points are a unique type of critical point where the function does not turn around in either a maximum or minimum sense. Instead, they represent points where the function curves up in one direction and down in another, resembling a saddle.
- Identifying Saddles: The traditional signature of a saddle point is having a negative determinant for the Hessian, which indicates mixed curvatures.
- Mixed Behavior: These points are neither peaks nor valleys but crossings where the function changes concavity.